Chapter 232: Chapter 232: "The Aftermath of the Champion Selection"
The Ravenclaw common room was alive with celebration when Harry finally made his way back to his dormitory. The excitement of having their housemate chosen as the Hogwarts champion had the Ravens in high spirits, and it was well past midnight when Harry could finally retreat to his room.
As he entered, he found Roger and Reggy waiting for him, their faces a mix of excitement and concern.
Roger spoke first, his voice tinged with curiosity. "Are you not mad, Harry, that your moment was stolen by your brother also becoming a champion?"
Harry sank onto his bed, a wry smile playing on his lips. "No, I'm not mad. To be honest, I expected something like this to happen, so I was prepared."
Reggy's eyes widened in surprise, nearly choking on the Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Bean he'd been chewing. "What? You knew Charles was going to be selected?"
Harry shook his head, his green eyes glinting in the dim light. "No, not specifically. But I knew something was going to happen. Why? Just because today was Halloween. Something wrong always happens on Halloween at Hogwarts. Maybe it's a curse."
Reggy's mouth formed an 'O' of realization. "Blimey, with all the excitement, I completely forgot today was Halloween. Well, that explains the unexpected show."
Roger leaned forward, his brow furrowed in thought. "So how do you reckon he got into the tournament?"
Harry ran a hand through his messy hair, considering his words carefully. "No idea, to be honest. He got in not as the Hogwarts champion, but as the champion of a fourth school. It takes powerful magic to tamper with an artifact like the Goblet of Fire, which Charles is certainly not capable of. So someone wanted him to be in the tournament. As for the reason..." he trailed off, leaving the ominous implication hanging in the air.
Reggy waved a dismissive hand, nearly knocking over a stack of books on his nightstand. "Well, Charles would have to do his best to come out of this alive. He is not a contender for the cup since he stands no chance against you three, a part-veela, Krum, or you, Harry. He's going to have a tough time of it."
Roger nodded in agreement, his voice taking on a more serious tone. "Yeah. Dumbledore would have to do something to ensure he even survives the dragon you mentioned is in the first task."
The room fell silent for a moment, the gravity of the situation sinking in. Roger and Reggy knew that even if Harry had no familial feelings for the Potters, he would not want his younger brother to be injured or die in this tournament. With a collective sigh, they called it a day, each lost in their own musings about the tournament ahead.
---
The next morning, the Great Hall buzzed with excited chatter as students filed in for breakfast. At the staff table, Dumbledore stood, his usual twinkling eyes somber under the watchful and angry gaze of Lily Potter. She did not like the fact that her young boy was forced to participate in this dangerous tournament.
"Students," Dumbledore's voice carried across the hall, instantly quieting the chatter. "I must address the events of last night. It has come to our attention that someone tampered with the Goblet of Fire, causing it to select a champion for a nonexistent fourth school. I want to make it abundantly clear that Charles Potter is not responsible for his inclusion in the tournament."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd as Dumbledore continued, "However, due to the nature of the magical contract formed by the Goblet, Charles must participate or risk losing his magic. We are investigating this matter thoroughly and will take all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of all champions."
As Dumbledore's words sank in, Harry observed the reactions around him. Unlike the canon universe, where there had been no such clarification, leading to bullying, this time an angry mother had forced Dumbledore to make the announcement.
However, as Harry looked around, he noticed that there might not have been a need for it. Unlike the canon, where jealousy and resentment had run rampant, the student body seemed largely sympathetic to Charles's plight. Even the Slytherins, usually quick to mock, appeared more intrigued than antagonistic.
Perhaps it was because in this world, the fourth champion, Charles, had not stolen the thunder of the underappreciated Hufflepuff house. This removed most of the bitterness.
Over at the Gryffindor table, Harry noticed Ron Weasley's face contorted with a mix of jealousy and betrayal. It seemed some things remained constant across timelines. However, Hermione and Ginny Weasley sat resolutely by Charles's side, expressions a mixture of worry and determination.
Outside the castle walls, the wizarding world was abuzz with the news of the fourth champion. The Daily Prophet's headline screamed: "POTTER DYNASTY AIMS FOR TRIWIZARD DOMINATION!" Rita Skeeter's article was a masterpiece of insinuation and conspiracy, suggesting the Potters had orchestrated Charles's entry to increase their chances of victory.
Harry couldn't help but smirk as he read the outlandish theories. They were a fun read.
Life as a champion brought its own set of challenges for Harry. His already considerable fan following had grown to almost unmanageable proportions. Even with Viktor Krum's presence in the castle, Harry found himself constantly dodging admirers, often resorting to his invisibility cloak for moments of peace.
"Blimey, Harry," Cedric commented one day as they watched a group of giggling third-years hurry past. "I thought I was having it bad in the school, but this is another level entirely."
Harry sighed, running a hand through his perpetually messy hair. "Tell me about it. I'm considering setting up a decoy to throw them off the scent."
Cedric grinned. "When you do come up with such a spell, teach it to me too. I might need it as well."
In the days that followed, Lily Potter threw herself into preparing Charles for the challenges ahead. Harry often saw them in empty classrooms, Lily drilling Charles on defensive spells and evasive maneuvers. She even convinced Moody to help.
One evening, as Harry was leaving the library, Lily approached him, her green eyes - so like his own - filled with a mixture of hope and desperation.
"Harry," she began, her voice trembling slightly. "I know things between us are... complicated. But please, if you can, look out for Charles. He's in over his head, and I'm terrified for him."
Harry regarded her coolly. After a moment, he gave a non-committal nod and walked away, leaving Lily standing in the corridor, her shoulders sagging with the weight of her worries.
Harry had promised his grandmother that Halloween night that he would keep his brother safe, and even without Lily's reminder, he would have done that. Charles might fall into some dangerous situations, but Harry would be there to control the situation and ensure that Charles got out without much harm.
Harry might be the only champion who was not practicing desperately. Enough said about Charles's training with Lily and Moody, even the other champions were not idle. Fleur Delacour could often be seen practicing intricate wand movements by the lake, her silvery hair glinting in the autumn sun. Viktor Krum, when not being mobbed by fans, spent hours in the library, poring over books on magical creatures and defensive spells.
Harry, meanwhile, was still assisting his master Flitwick in his apprenticeship duties. They did duel every now and then, but it was all the usual. Nothing special for the tournament. Flitwick knew Harry could handle anything that came at him.
Chapter 233: Chapter 233: "Weighing of Wands"
As the days inched closer to the first task of the Triwizard Tournament, Hogwarts buzzed with anticipation and intrigue. Amidst this charged atmosphere, Harry found himself at the center of an unexpected confrontation.
Draco Malfoy, in his misguided attempt to mock Charles, had created badges that read "Hadrian Potter: The Real Hogwarts Champion," which then changed to "Potter Stinks." The Slytherin fourth-year had managed to convince only his closest cronies to wear them, but it was enough to catch Harry's attention.
In his haste to sow discord and cause Charles some embarrassment, Malfoy had overlooked a crucial detail - Harry was also a Potter. The Lord Potter, in fact. Before the badges could spread further, Harry cornered Malfoy in a deserted corridor.
"Clever badges, Malfoy," Harry said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "But I think they need a little adjustment." With a flick of his wand, the words "Malfoy Stinks" appeared across Draco's forehead in glowing green letters, as well as on the badge.
As Malfoy and his stooges fled in fear, frantically trying to remove the magical inscription, Harry couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction.
However, Draco Malfoy was not one to give up easily. Someone must have helped him understand his mistake, for he returned with a new batch of badges, this time reading "Charley is a Cheater" and "Charley Stinks." The absence of the Potter name was noticeable.
This new taunt riled up Charles, leading to several confrontations between the two fourth-years. Draco found himself on the receiving end of Moody's unique brand of discipline, while Charles faced Snape's wrath. These incidents provided entertainment for the whole school, a welcome distraction from the mounting tension of the approaching tournament.
---
As the days passed, the champions were summoned for the traditional Wand Weighing ceremony. Harry arrived at the designated classroom to find Krum and Fleur already present, both looking visibly annoyed, their faces etched with irritation.
The reason for their expressions became immediately apparent as a flash of acid green blocked Harry's view of the room. Rita Skeeter, adorned in her signature lurid robes, approached Harry, her Quick-Quotes Quill dancing in anticipation.
"Ah, our third champion!" Rita cooed, her eyes gleaming behind her jeweled spectacles. "How about a quick interview? The public is dying to know more about the elusive Hadrian Potter!"
Harry's response was curt and firm. "I give no interviews, Ms. Skeeter. You should know this already."
Undeterred, Rita turned her attention to the other champions. Krum grunted noncommittally, his surly expression deepening, while Fleur turned away with a disdainful sniff, her silvery hair whipping around dramatically. Frustrated but persistent, Rita returned to Harry, her smile now strained.
"Come now, Mr. Potter. Surely you understand the importance of keeping your adoring public informed?"
As Rita continued to press, ignoring his clear dissatisfaction, Harry felt his patience wearing thin. With a subtle flex of his magical core, he allowed his power to seep into the air around them. The temperature seemed to drop, and the lights flickered ominously, casting eerie shadows across the room.
Rita's eyes widened, her smile faltering for the first time as she took an involuntary step back. Even Fleur and Krum were visibly shocked, their previous annoyance replaced by a mix of awe and apprehension. Ludo Bagman, who had been present for some time, also seemed unnerved. He had allowed Rita free rein, knowing the publicity would benefit the tournament, but now he realized that antagonizing the elder Potter might not be wise.
Harry leaned in, his voice low and laced with warning. "Ms. Skeeter, let me be clear. I know you're angry, but if any false or unsubstantiated news about me appears in the Prophet under your name, there will be consequences." His green eyes bored into hers as he added, "I'd hate to have to keep a beetle in a glass jar, if you catch my meaning."
Rita blanched, her Quick-Quotes Quill falling still for once. She didn't know how Harry had discovered her secret, but she understood the gravity of his threat. One letter from Harry could see her in Azkaban for being an unregistered Animagus.
The tense moment was broken by Charles's arrival, accompanied by an excited Colin Creevey, his camera flashing incessantly. Rita's face lit up at the sight of the younger Potter, her previous fright forgotten in the face of a more amenable target. "Ah, Charley! How about a little chat?" she purred, leading the bewildered boy towards a nearby broom cupboard.
As the door closed behind them, Harry shook his head, a mixture of amusement and resignation on his face. Some things, it seemed, were destined to happen regardless of the timeline.
Moments later, Dumbledore entered with Mr. Ollivander, his long silver beard gleaming in the candlelight, signaling the start of the ceremony. Charles was freed from Skeeter's clutches, looking slightly disheveled and dazed, as if he'd just emerged from a whirlwind.
Ollivander's eyes twinkled as he examined each wand in turn, his fingers moving with practiced precision. Fleur's wand, containing a Veela hair core, elicited a raised eyebrow. Krum's hornbeam and dragon heartstring wand earned an approving nod.
When it came to Harry's turn, Ollivander paused, a look of intrigue crossing his face. "Ah, Mr. Potter. Your wand... blackthorn and thunderbird tail feather, if I recall correctly. A most unusual combination and a special wand I crafted. You have taken good care of it."
Harry nodded, acutely aware of the curious glances from the others in the room, their eyes darting between him and his wand.
Ollivander continued, his voice filled with reverence, "Blackthorn, traditionally associated with warfare and overcoming adversity. And the thunderbird feather... a core of great power, capable of casting curses as easily as it can sense danger. A wand for a wizard of exceptional skill and destiny, I'd say."
As Ollivander handed the wand back, Harry could feel Dumbledore's piercing gaze upon him, those blue eyes seeming to x-ray him. He met the Headmaster's eyes steadily, unafraid and unyielding.
Next was Charles's turn. This time even Harry was curious. He had no idea what wand his brother had. Was it the phoenix feather one? But Harry did not think that was possible. The character of Charles and the way he was raised was completely different from Tom Riddle. And as Harry had expected, he was proven right shortly.
Ollivander held Charles's wand delicately, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Ah, young Mr. Potter. Maple and unicorn hair, eleven inches, quite flexible. A wand of great potential, especially suited for charms work and transfiguration."
Charles nodded nervously, clearly uncomfortable with the attention. Ollivander continued, his voice taking on a scholarly tone, "Maple wands are known to choose wizards of great ambition and travelers. The unicorn hair core provides consistency and loyalty. A fine wand for a young wizard still finding his path."
With a flourish, Ollivander conjured a stream of golden bubbles from Charles's wand before handing it back with an approving smile, the bubbles floating gently around the room.
The ceremony concluded with a photo session, during which Harry carefully positioned himself to avoid being front and center. He did not need more crazy fans. He had more than he could handle already.
With the wand weighing behind them, the reality of the impending first task loomed larger than ever. The champions were putting in last-minute efforts, their faces etched with determination and a hint of fear. Harry, however, felt a thrill of excitement coursing through him. The dragons were coming.
Weekly Power Status
200+ Power
Ranking 
33 Power
stone You may also Like
Paragraph comment